And stamped the action with the nation's seal.
E'en when the cable its initial spark
Brought flashing through the ocean's deep and dark;
E'en when was fixed, with far-resounding strokes,
With song, and praise, and thankfulness, and mirth,
The golden fastening of the chain that yokes
The two great restless oceans of the earth!
But over all, and round about us spread,
Hangs the black cloud of Death: a thunder-head,
Yet ominously silent; moving on,